St. Paul daily globe., 1887-07-08
YES OR NO.
.Theater.

''And so you are going away to Eu-
rope, WHIP asked Kitty Morton, as she
said gOod-by to her old playmate, Will
Lewis, at the gate.
YES" he replied; II have splendid
chance to study, and l cannot afford to
waste any longer time here, much as
enjoy it.
Il hope you don't think the time spent
with me as wasted" said the girl,
coquettishly. ''If you do perhaps l had
better run away" with smile.
You know l want to stay in America
for your sake" he answered, as he
came nearer to her-SO near that she
felt his breath in her face.
Il want to ask you a question before
/ go away" he said, earnestly. ''Will
you give me plain answer"
''l'n try" she said, laughing. "Only
don't make it hard"
ut is this" he added. 81 want to
ask you, Kitty. if, after two years
abroad, can come back here and claim
you for my wife?'
The question startled her, and she
heSitated and Stammered.
That's long ways ahead. Can you
not wait and ask me then?"
Don't tritle with me-" he said. ''You
can answer nOW."
Il can't, viii. You must not ask it.
How do know how shall feel toward
you in two years?"
Perhaps you are right" he said,
sadly. "GoOd night" and he turned on
his heel without even stopping to shake
hands with her, and the darkness hid
him from sight.
Mrs. Merwin noticed a great change
in her niece Kitty from that night, and
half suspected the reason.
AS for the girl, as time elapsed and no
letter came from Will Lewis she grew
pale and sickly-looking until the doctor
ordered her south for the winter.
So down to st. Augustine they went,
and were soon comfortably installed in
hotel by the sea.
Col. Adams was a brOther-in-law of
Mrs. Merwin's friend. They had met
him in jacksonville, and after having
spent few weeks with a hunting party
on Indian river he had written to Mrs.
Adams, proposing again to join their
party. He was an accomplished, culti-
waited man of middle age, whose early
inheritance of large fortune had
enabled him to spend the greater part
of his life in travelling. He was a
brilliant, entertaining talker, and both
Mrs. Merwin and Kitty found him an
agreeable companion.
Ono udy lHe cOlOHel anu hltIy, dIleT
a long ramble about the quaint old
town, ascended to the top of the pic
turesque fort, and sitting down upon
the parapet, spent an hour in idle chat.
Il don't know that | ever told you the
story of a man who once saved my
life said the colonel. ''It was won
derful act. It's of no use to describe
it; one can't describe heroic act any
more than any one can adequately de-
scribe sunset. Words give you only
faint idea: they are things that must be
seen to be appreciated. He received on
his wrist, the saber cut aimed at my
head. 1t was an ugly blowout nearly
to the bone"
Kitty started suddenly, as the re-
memberance of large scar on Will
LewiS'S wrist flashed into her mind.
Il suppose he will carry that scar to
his grave" continued the colonel. sit
is no wonder that we became friends
| after that, notwithstanding the differ
ence in our ages. You know, Miss
Kitty, when | met you in Jacksonville L
had just arrived from Italy, where |
had been United States consul. On my
way back / stopped in London previous
to sailing, and who should l meet but
my old friend. He looked worn and
haggard, and seemed SO spiritleSS and
tell me his trouble. 1t seems, poor fel-
low, that he had set his heart on some
fair, young girl, and she, after amusing
herself with him for while. cast him
off,
Kitty turned away her head.
81 tried to comfort him, but it was use
less. told him that young girls were
the most incomprehensible puzzles on
earth, that ten chances to one she loved
him all the while, but only wanted to
test his Affection He said the worst of |
it all was to have believed her so true
and frank and then to find her utterly
false and heartlesS.'"
''FalSe and heartleSS she was not"
cried Kitty, springing to her feet, with |
the blood surging over her face and then
ebbing, leaving her very pale. ''But |
she was a Simpleton who said mo- when |
she meant yes and when she looks !
back and sees the ruin she made of two |
happy lives she would like to die" And |
she covered her face with her hands and |
burst into tears.
sit was you, then," exclaimed Col. |
Adams, trying to Soothe the excited |
girl.
He continued after a pause: ''When |
left my friend l made a solemn VOW
that l would find the young lady. if it |
took me ten years to do it, and that l |
would endeavor to clear up this cloud. |
Will you let me try and bring back some |
of your lost happiness? | shall write to |
DR.. Lewis tonight. Will you incloSe |
short note?"
Kitty sat there, the image of despair.
sit is no use," she answered sadly.
''He would not read it."
81 rather think he will, after my
preface" said Col. Adams. miss Kitty, |
; | am older than you. have seen
great deal of the world, and / think you
can safely trust to my advice. Write to
him, it is the least you can after the
misery YOU have caused"
The two letters were sent, and month !
afterward Kitty received an answer,
which made her the happiest girl in the
world.
Six'nnonths later there was a double
wedding at Mrs. Merwin's house. Mrs.
Merwin became Mrs. Adams, and Kitty,
in answer to the clergymal's solemn
question said, ''Yes," with All emphasis
that showed that now she meant what